Casting and Homogenization of AlCu3.3Mg1.5Mn Alloy for Aircraft Industry

Abstract

Heat treatable aluminum alloys and other alloys with similar properties are the most widely used light alloys in aeronautical construction [1-3]. These alloys have (i) high resistance to crack initiation and propagation, (ii) resistance to developing a strong lift force of the wings, (iii) high temperature, (iv)creep and fatigue vibration resistance. These age hardening Al alloys, are designed to take the mechanical stresses of the aircraft during flight. To achieve and continually improve these characteristics are necessary studies and researches on optimizing the manufacturing technological process of these types of Al alloys. This paper presents theoretical and experimental development of aluminum prealloys and high purity 2xxx Al alloys series elaboration for the aviation industry. We aimed to obtain higher energy efficiency, a better protection against gases, development of melt refining decontamination during casting. We are taking into account that the AlCu3.3Mg1.5Mn alloy has in chemical composition besides the alloying elements also a limited percentage of impurities (eg. 0.15% Si and 0.20% Fe), impurities difficult to remove from molten aluminum. In these conditions, the manufacturing processing requires some precautions such as: cleaning melting furnace and the correct choice of materials composing the charge in order to prevent contamination of the bath. The casted and homogenized Al alloys were analyzed in terms of composition and microstructure.